Lütfü Savaş files lawsuit to annul 'dubious convention' in CHP!

Former Hatay Metropolitan Mayor Lütfü Savaş has filed a lawsuit against the Republican People's Party (CHP) to annul the party's controversial Ordinary Convention held on November 4-5, 2023. In the lawsuit petition obtained, Savaş alleged that, following discussions with convention delegates, he found that members of the current party administration and local government staff had pressured delegates, provided houses and vehicles to some in exchange for votes, distributed large amounts of dollars at the hotels where they stayed, and promised jobs to others. In his petition, Lütfü Savaş requested the annulment of the convention and also demanded the removal of current management members from their posts. He further stated that he would present evidence and witnesses to the court.

Discussions regarding the 'dubious' convention in the CHP are growing.

New developments are emerging in the investigation initiated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which was later expanded by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and first announced in February 2024.

It is known that many CHP members have filed complaints alleging that promises were made to influence voting results at the convention and that delegate votes were purchased in exchange for money.

According to a report by Veryansın Tv, it is stated that 40 people have filed lawsuits so far to have the convention annulled and have submitted evidence to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. One of these individuals is reportedly former Hatay Metropolitan Mayor Lütfü Savaş.

LÜTFÜ SAVAŞ’S LAWSUIT PETITION

The petition dated February 14, 2025, was submitted to the court by lawyer Onur Yusuf Üregen on behalf of Lütfü Savaş. In the petition, Üregen stated that after learning that an investigation had been opened regarding the CHP's November 4-5, 2023 convention, Lütfü Savaş held meetings with many delegates, investigated the matter, concluded that there were serious irregularities in the convention, and therefore decided to file a lawsuit.

SUITCASES FULL OF DOLLARS

The petition included the following statements:

“Following the statement by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the client, as a result of his research, spoke with many convention delegates and observed that it was clearly expressed on social media and in news reports that the current party administration and individuals in local government positions pressured delegates to change the election result, provided houses and cars to delegates in exchange for votes, brought suitcases full of dollars to the hotels where delegates were staying and distributed them, provided iPhones and iPads in exchange for votes, and promised job opportunities to some delegates to change the election result.”

The petition continues as follows:

“Moreover, as can be seen from the news texts reflected in the press and submitted in the annex, some of the delegates who voted at the convention in question and their relatives were hired by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and political positions, including mayoralties, were promised to many other delegates. Again, as can be seen from the press clippings submitted in the annex, it is established that money was funneled to delegates by companies awarded tenders by CHP municipalities in Istanbul during the convention period (in exchange for tenders).”

Lütfü Savaş, who also requested the investigation files from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices for the lawsuit he filed against the CHP, stated that the truth would be proven through the hearing of witnesses.

'WE DEMAND THE REMOVAL OF THE CHP ADMINISTRATION FROM OFFICE WITH AN INJUNCTION'

In the petition submitted to the court, Lütfü Savaş also demanded the removal of those in the administration of the Republican People's Party. The petition included the following statements:

“Since the CHP Central Executive Board, Party Assembly, and High Disciplinary Board, which came to party management by corrupting the will of the convention in question, will attempt to create pressure by committing all kinds of unlawful acts against delegates and other party members during the lawsuit process we have initiated, we primarily demand that the current CHP Central Executive Board, Party Assembly, and High Disciplinary Board be removed from office with an immediate injunction.”